Prompt: Found Your Dog

Follow Your Nose

Jack hummed as he walked. It was the perfect day to be out. He and his dog, Bacon, a small white terrier mix, had spent all morning running around town. It was his way of saying sorry for being cooped up for the last two weeks with the flu.

Bacon sniffed around at a tree as his owner checked his watch. Just enough time to make it to Peepers and see his friend, Tooth before having to head back. They made a left Bacon began to happily bark, jumping up onto a tall, tanned man's leg.

"Oi! Get yer mutt offa me!" The man jumped back, scowling at Jack as Bacon continued to lavish affections onto the stranger.

"He's not trying to hurt you; he likes you." Jack smiled, trying to abate the apparently Australian man. He looked up and was floored by angry green eyes. Wow, he thought, he's gorgeous.

The man grunted, gently pushing the dog away. "Not everyone wants a mutt jumpin' on 'em, kid. Keep a tighter hold on that leash." He muttered. The man shot a glare at Bacon, tail still happily thumping against the concrete, and stalked away. Jack watched him go, obviously admiring the view.

"Wow, Jack. Here, wipe your mouth. Don't want drool to slip people up." Tooth said. The small Indian woman was leaned against a beam smiling at her friend.

"Don't judge. You know he was hot."

"Oh, I agree. But he's a total dick."

Jack walked over, Bacon eagerly accepted Tooth's petting. He leaned against a fence that separated the outside seating and the sidewalk. "How do you know?"

"He comes in a few times a week. Orders the same thing, barely talks, and barely tips. He just gives off that jerky vibe." She said, shrugging her shoulders. "Want to come in? We have the Christmas menu out again."

"Nah, we have to get home. Gotta get the decorations put up, don't we boy?" Jack cooed, looking down. His smile was wiped from his face as he noticed an empty collar where his furry best friend was supposed to be. He sucked in a breath and frantically looked around.

"Bacon!" He shouted, worry etched onto his face. He whipped his head in all directions, brown hair flying, as he searched. Jack quickly apologized to his friend before dashing in the direction he'd come. He ran as he called out for his dog, stopping to ask every person he came across. Each time he was met with disappointment; no one had seen the small white bundle of fun. After hours of fruitless searching, Jack drifted back to his apartment. Tooth came over after her shift and sat with his as he worried over Bacon. She didn't say anything as the few tears he allowed himself fell from his eyes. Eventually they decided on making flyers. They called a mutual friend, Sandy, and he readily agreed to help, free of charge. They had the papers printed up that evening, ready to start distributing them the next morning.

~*~*~Line~*~*~

Bacon trotted down the sidewalk. He'd managed to finally slip out of that old, dingy collar. He took in all the smells, sights, and sounds as he walked. He loved taking walks in the city with his human. He always got treats, smiles, and lots of love. As he wandered he caught a familiar scent: carrot cake. He loved cake. Bacon started to salivate just thinking of the sugary confection. His human would very rarely bless him with human deserts, so he was not going to pass up a chance at getting a treat.

Down the way he went; past a few clothing stores, shoe store, electronic store. None of them had the scent of the treat. He scampered on. Bacon followed his nose as it led him across the street. The scent was stronger now. He was close. The white ball of fluff eagerly wagged his tail.

An arts and crafts store is where the heavenly smell steered him. Whoever possessed the treats was currently in the store. Bacon sat patiently; he was a good boy and knew he couldn't enter any stores. He didn't want to get scolded. Fifteen minutes passed before the man smelling of cake exited. Bacon barked in excitement, scurrying to jump at the human's leg again. He braced himself to stand against the muscled leg, looking up expectantly wagging his tail.

A female voice wafted through the open door. "Have a good weekend, Aster!"

"You too, sheila." He said, then stopped short.

"You again?" The man, Aster, groaned. He rubbed a hand over his face and looked from side to side. "Where's that brat?" He asked Bacon. The dog continued to wag its tail, even when he was gently pushed aside with the toe of a boot.

Bacon watched as the man walked away with a sigh. He waited a breath before following; he still wanted that cake.

~*~*~Line~*~*~

Aster groaned as he looked behind him again. That damn dog was still following him. Why, oh why did this mutt have it out for him? He hated dogs. They were messy, time consuming, brought in fleas… Nast little buggers in his opinion.

The Australian trudged on, blatantly ignoring his canine shadow as he waltzed into his apartment building. He offered a wave to the doorman, and made his way across the lobby to the elevators. He pressed his floor number and leaned against the side wall. A glance down brought on the beginning of a headache. Soulful brown eyes stared up at him; a wide, seemingly happy grin graced the furry white face of the dog.

Aster started his mental blocking of the mutt again, resolving to not look down again until he was safely in his apartment. He quickly walked down the hallway when the elevator doors opened. Hoping to leave the canine behind as he neared his door and dug out his keys.

Bacon excitedly followed. The carrot cake smell was much stronger now, and he wagged his tail quickly from side to side in anticipation.

Opening the door, Aster made his way inside. When Bacon tried to follow he was met with a firm look, and pointed finger; he winced, looking down in guilt.

"No. You aren't comin' in here, mate." Aster scolded and then closed the door with a click.

Bacon looked at the door with drooped ears. His tail continued to wag, though slower than before. He looked down one end of the hall, and then down the other.

Inside his apartment, Aster chucked his keys into the bowl and set his bag of supplies on the table. He grabbed a bear from the refrigerator and took a swig as he glanced at the door. No, he thought, I'm not gonna worry m'self over that mutt. It'll go home on its own.

After his beer, a quick sandwich was eaten and Aster shuffled to bed. He tossed and turned, not being able to sleep. He mid kept wandering to that damn dog. He wondered if it was still outside? Was it safe? Was that brunette boy with a dazzling smile missing his pet? Sighing in defeat Aster flung back his comforter and trudged to the door. Gently turning the knob, he peeked out. Sure enough, the little white animal was curled in a ball. Aster furrowed his brows as he heard a slight whimper from Bacon.

"Poor thing." He murmured, crouching down and gently running a large hand over velvety white fur. "I might not like ya, but I'm not so heartless to leave ya out here."

Bacon stirred at the petting. It was a nice feeling, being petted. A brown eye peeked over his back, and then he began wagging his tail. He watched as the man stood, nudging the door open. "C'mon then." Bacon shot into the apartment. He made a bee line for the table, locking on the cake sitting innocently on top.

Aster set two bowls onto the floor, one filled with water, the other with leftover chicken from the fridge. He shook his head as Bacon gobbled down the food, and noisily slurped up the water. He set down a section of newspaper in a corner of his kitchen.

"A'right then. I'm goin' to bed. Don't chew anything up, don't piss on my carpet. We'll see about findin' yer owner in the mornin'." He told the dog before heading to bed.

~*~*~Line~*~*~

Jack had been all over the four blocks that circled his apartments. He and Tooth had stapled flyers depicting Bacon and his phone number, also a reward, on every light post, trash can, mailbox, and store window they could find. He showed people on the sidewalk the papers, asking if anyone had seen his baby, unfortunately no one had. Jack was a tightly wound knot of worry as the full day's search proved fruitless.

"What if he got hurt? God, he must be so scared." Jack wondered. He cradled a steaming cup of tea as he sat in Tooth's apartment.

"I'm sure Bacon's fine. He's a sweet dog, everyone that meets him, loves him." She attempted to soothe her friend as she patted his cheek. She frowned as Jack's brown eyes began to water.

"I know, Tooth. But what if someone did find him? What if they keep him?"

Tooth opened her mouth to refute that when Jack's phone began to ring. He had never answered his phone so fast in his life; quickly pressing it to his ear. "Hello?" He rushed out.

"This Jack? From the fliers?"

"Yes! It is!"

"Look, mate, I found your mutt. It followed me home yesterday."

Jack let out a shaky breath in relief. "Thank you so much! Is he okay?"

On the other end of the call Aster smiled; the boy sure did sound happy. He absently wondered how big that smile was, and if it was as watery as it sounded. "He's just fine. If ya can give me yer address I can bring him over." Jack rapidly fired it off, thanking the man again as he rushed to the door. Tooth managed to grab a quick hug as he dashed down the hall and out of sight.

Jack ran the entire distance and was panting when he arrived at his building. He waited on pins and needles as he restlessly glanced about. A bark-turned-howl had him twirling to find the origin.

There, nestled in toned, tan arms was Bacon. The man who had originally scowled and grimaced at them, now offered a sincere smile as he walked leisurely up the path. Jack met them halfway and Aster handed him his pet.

"Bacon! You're okay!" He exclaimed, burying his face in familiar white fur. His buddy barked and licked his face, as if to say: I missed you too! Jack jumped up, wrapping his free arm around the taller man's neck, burying his nose into a shoulder. "Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Aster chuckled, touched by the display, and wrapped an arm around Jack's slender waist; breathing in the sharp spearmint scent of the younger man against his chest. "Wasn't a big thing. Glad I could help." He said.

Jack pulled away, eyes lightly puffy, and held Bacon close to his chest. "If you'll give me just a minute, I'll go get your money." He said, and turned to leave. Aster laid a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't want your money, mate."

"But, on the flyer- "

"I know what it said." Aster hushed him, letting his hand glide down Jack's arm. "If I can, I'd like to take you to lunch sometime? If you'd like?" He asked, silently hoping the boy would accept.

Jack grinned, showcasing straight, bright white teeth as he nodded. "Lunch would be great! I'm Jack, by the way." He held out his hand.

"Aster." The Australian answered, taking the smaller hand in his own. "Let my walk you to yer door. We can make a date." Aster smiled as he saw Jack's cheeks color. He followed the boy inside, glancing down to the dog in his arms.

I guess you aren't such a bad pet after all, he thought.

End.